Apparatus for handling cotton and the like



H. w. UGQN. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COTTON AND-THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2 9, T915- RENEWED NOV. 4, |918- Pana May25, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHET I.

H,. W. LIGON.

APPARATUS FOR HAN-BLING COTTON AND THE LIKE. APLlcATxoN FILED MAR` 29, 1915. RENEWED Nov. 4, 191s.

Y1,340,964 v ,Y PatAendMayzilQz.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2-.

H. w. LIGoN. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COTTON AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED MAR` 29, I9I5. rRENIEWED NOV. 4, 1918. 1,340,964.. l' Patented May 25, 1920.

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APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COTTON AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION flu-:D 11,111.29, 1915. RENEwED Nov. 4, 1918.

1,340,964. Patented May 25, 1920. A

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CGTTON AND THE LIKE. APPucATloN FILED`MAR. 29, 1915. 1,340,964.

RENEWED NOV. 4.1918.

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Patented May 25, 1920,

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flume@ s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY W. L IGON, OF ATLANTA7 GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR TO CONTINENTAL GI N COMPANY,

OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLNG- COTTON AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Application vfiled March 29, 1.915, Serial No. 17,814. Renewed November 4, 1918. SerialNo. 261,170.

To cZZ vis/tom, t may conce/m:

Be it known that l, HARRY W. LIGON, a citizenolx4 the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of G eorgia, have invented certain new Vand useful improvements in Apparatus for Handling Cotton and the like, and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for handling cotton and other 'raw fibers preparatory to compressing the fibers into bales for shipment.

- The present invention is directed to an improved arrangement for handling the cotton and feeding it to the tramper press, in combination with an automatic tramper instantaneously responsive to the accumulation of a. proper amount of cotton in the press box beneath the tramper head. An improved mechanism is provided for automatically and positively stopping the feed of cotton when the lowering tramping stroke of the tremper head commences, and also preventing further feed during the downward tramping stroke of the tramper head and until the tramper head has returned to its former elevated position. The novel mechanism is also responsive to a return of the tramper head, in a manner'that, as soon as the normal elevated position of the tremper head is resumed, feed of the cotton to the press box instantly recommences, and the feeding proceeds until a sutlicient quantity has accumulated inthe press box, to again start the tramper head on its downward Jcramping stroke. rlhe improved control ot thetramper and cotton feed utilizes those parts of the machinery most sensitive to the pressure exerted by the cotton.

The ir. font-ion also provides an automatic tripping device which, when a sudicient quantity of cotton has accumulated in the press box to actuate tl e tremper head, maintains the parts controlling the supply of power to the tramper head in operative relation. and also positively prevents renewed activity of the cotton feeding device until the tremper head resumes its normal elevated position. The automatic tripping device will be directly controlled by the movements or" the tremper head, and consequently a proper relation of tramping and feed is always maintained. ln operation, the improved tripping device locks the parts in such relationthat a supply of power to the tramper 'head is continued, during its downward compression stroke, and, when the supply is reversed during the upward stroke lof the tramper head the parts are also locked to continuously supply power acting upwardly on the tramper head. At the same time, the several instrumentalities are reset in a. manner that cotton feed immediately recommences, when the tramper head has arrived at its normal elevated position. Y

Furthermore, a novel construction of feeding element is provided. This feeding element is so arranged that it exerts its control over the cotton, even after the cotton has passed the limits of the discharge chute, and thus a much more even distribution of the cotton within the press box is attained. One arrangement of feed yprovided by the present invention insures an equal distribution of cotton in the directionof feed, that is, longitiu'linally of the discharge chute.y In addition, the feeding element also has thepropert-y of acting as a screen or barrier against discharge of cotton into the press box, during lowering movement of the tramper head, a further advantage since it dispenses with separate arrangements for Ieffecting' this result.

The invention also provides an improved mechanism for weighing the amount of cotton as it is tramped down into the press box. Utilization of the amount of pressure required to tramp the cotton is made to determine the weight of the cotton tramped. T he scope of the tramper is thus greatly enlarged, and the size of the bales may loe Q'ulated with a degree of exactness hereto- Fig. 3 is a detaill side elevation of one member of the improved feeding means.

Figli is a plan view 'of the feeding 'means illustrated in Fig. 3. j Fig. 4a is a transverse section taken on a j plane indicated bythe line ta- 4a lof Fig. t.

l' VVFig. 5 is a detail side elevation ofthe automatic tripping' deviceV showing the parts inthe positions they assume during feed of the cotton into the press boX.

l Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. '5, but showingthe parts in the positions 'they assume when the tramper head is Vstarting on Fig. 7 isa view similar to Fig. 5, lbut sliowingfthe parts kin the posit-ions they assume when the tramper head isV 'starting on its "upward stroke.

Fig; 8 is'an end elevation of thek automatic trami'ierand certain Aof the `other parts its downward tramping stroke.

looking in the 'direction ofthe arrows fromV a :plane indicated by the vline 8-3 '0f Fig* 2' Fig. y9 is a; section throu'gh V'the tremper and power cylinder, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2, with certain ofthe parts in eleva`- tion, and designed for the purpose 'of'illiis y trating in detail the operation of an improved Controlling valve mechanism. L.

' Figli() is a detail view partly in section of the improved controlling valvey mechanisin.` Y Y Fig. ll is az'detail view of a modifiedform of controlling valve mechanism. .Y

j" Fig., 11a is an enlarged detail view of the larrangement'shown in Fig. ll; y y

Fig. l2 is a detail view of a further modified 'form 'of controlling valve mechanism.

13 is a detail view 'of an improved arrangement for determining` 1the vweight( of the cottontrairfped in the press bornand also for notifying the operator when a proper amount of cotton :for baling is tramped in Y the press boX.

. Fig. 13a isa plan of a preferred lform of Y ki'veigli'ing device. Y

Fig. 13" is a section onthe line 13b-' l8b ofliig.y 13a. `f f y Fig. lll is adetailview of-a modified form of device for notifyingl the operator when a .proper amount of'cotton for baling is trampred iii the press box, shown in Acon- A fnectionf with a. VdifferentV type of tremper *press 1 Fig. Vis ay detail 'side elevation lof a modified 'form of automatictrippingdevice For' Convenience in description, the improved apparatus provided by the present invention is divided into four grand divisions, as follows: v

A-tlie improved feeding p meehan'isn'i shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4.

B--the automatic tripping device, which controls the feed of the cotton, and also the operation of the tramper press, illustrated i more particularly in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive,

anda modification thereof inFig. 15.

Chthe improved controlling valve mechaiiism, and its modification shown kmore pai'- ticularly in Figs. 9fto 1Q inclusive; Y l

13e-the improved arrangement -for Vdetermining t-he weight of the cotton, tramped in the press, andalso for notifyingtheoperator when Y`a Vsii'flicient qiiaiitity has lbeen tram ed, illustrated in Fig. i3, and a modification 'in Fig. 14.

'General construction.

The general construction of the imp'ro'ved Y' apparatus will best be iinderstoodlfinl Figs.

l and 2. A condenser is indicated diagram matically at E, and comprises the lusual instrumentalitie's which convert the fginned' cotton intok a sheet or, as usually teriiied, batting. Located between and connecting the condenserl E with thetramp vr-press F is a lint slide or cottonchiite Cr-which is preferably inclined lin the direction fofv discharge so vas to permit a -gravitalfflow ofr the cottonytowiird "the tramp-er press F. Thetrampei press ,F Vis shown asfconsisting of a pair of pressl boxes, f, f', each Vmounted on a rotatable ytable f2, so 'that when apress box has :been filled with -cotton through the cotton chute G, it may be swung around into posi-tion forV baling the cotton tbyk the baling .inechanisms, not shown, but whichfmay vbe of any preferred type,` well Avknown in the art, and simultaneously a press box froniwhich a lcompleted ba-lelias been removed is swung around into position to Vreceive cotton-fdis- ,charged by the cotton chiite.

inasmuch as the general kconstruction'of the press boxes j", f and the baling Ymec"hanisms is well known in the yart, a detailed description will not be given. includes `d'eviceswhich grasp vthe cotton in the llint slide and lpositively feed-it 'to a Y press box f. VVlien a suicient quantity'of cot ton'hais accumulated withinthefpressbomthe feeding mechanism ALreleasesy the automatic Y tripping `device B which becomes instantly The feeding ymechanism Av ios lio

operative'to actuate the controlling valve mechanism C iira nianncrto 'supply power to the tremper head and startA it onitsdownward trainping stroke. dit the same instant, the tripping device B viiiimed'iately renders inoperative'thefeeding mechanisniand stops feed 'of the cotton, 'this'v relation between tripping Vdevice andy feeding mechanism y'corr tinuing until the tramper head has made a Vcompletel trampin'g stroke `and returned to its former elevated position. Upon return of the tramper head, the automatic tripping device B immediately sets the feeding mechanism in operation. ln one form of the invention, the controllingl valve C is entirely actuated by the tripping device, for supply` ing power to effect both lowering` and upward movements of the trainper head. 1n another form of the invention, the controlling valve is opened to permit upward movement of the tramper head by the fluid pressure in the power cylinder. lVhen by repeated operations of the tramperhead and feeding mechanism, enough cotton has been tramped in a press boi; to constitute a suf- VI'i'cient quantity for baling this will be indicated-by the improved weighing` 'avaneement l), or an automatic alarm, or both, as will be hereinafter explained.

The feeding mechanisch.

The feeding' mechanism :i comprises instrumeiitalities which grasp the cotton in the lint slide G and positively feed it to a press box f for instance. These instrumentalities preferably consist of a pair of independently mounted rakes 1` 2, each of which is providedwith its ownV operating' mechanism for advancing,r it toward the press box, and the rakes are` so arranged and operated with respectto each other that theyT are alternately engrag'eable with the cotton. Rotatably mounted in suitable brackets 3 upreaching' from a transverse sill 4i forming; part of the press-frame (Figs. 1 and 2) is a transverse shaft 5, having fixed thereto bevel pinions 6, 7, repectively. Motion may be imparted to shaft 5 through a drive pulley 8 mounted at one end of a counter shaft 5a, which counter shaft is provided with a gear 5l in mesh with a gear 5C on shaft 5. The drive pulley may derive its power from the power shaft 9 of the condenser, by means of a pulley belt 10. Bevel pinions 6, 7 are in mesh with bevel pinions 11, 12, mounted. on the ends of and for rotation with shafts 13, 14 journaled in suitable brackets and at divora-ing` angles with respect to transverse sill l. These shafts 13, 14 are the power shafts for actuating the rakes 1, 2, through independent rake actuating; mechanisms, and, for the reason that the rakes and their actuating' mechanisms are identical in every particular, a description of rake 1 will suffice for both.

The details of construction of rake 1 and the mechanism for operating' it can best be understood in Figs. 3 and 4. As shown therein, shaft 13 is journaled in suitable brackets 15 upreaching from the press frame. and has fixed thereto a cam disk 16. Cain disk 16 is provided on its inner face with a cam slot 17, and on its outer face with a :fixed eccentrically mounted. stud 18. Rotatably mounted ou the said stud 18 is a pinion 19, which pinion is in 'mesh with the teeth of a lower rack bar 20, and also in mesh witlrthe teeth of an upper rack bar 21, slidably mounted. in upreaching` supporting brackets 22, 28; carried by the lower rack bar. it its inner end 2Oa lower raclr bar 2OY is pivotally secured to one arm 25 of a lever for constantly changing the center 2st about which rack bar 20 swings. Arm 25, at its other end, is provided with a sleevelike portion 26 ioclrably mounted on stub shaft 27 fixed in a bracket 2S. The sleevelike portion 26 also bears an arm 29 projecting' at an angle upwardly from stub shaft 27, and having1 at its free end a roller 30 which travels in cam slot 17. Accordingly, it nwill be understood that arm 29 forms the other arni of the lever, and that, when cam disk 16 is rotated, lever coinprising arms 29, 25, is rocked on stub shaft 27, and center 211 is shifted to a degree corresponding with the throw of the cam, and at the same time, pinion 19 travels back and forth on the toothed surface of lower rack bar 20. The result of these movements is that upper rack bar 21 is reciprocated in brackets 22, 23, pinion 19 supplying the power, and simiiltaneoiisly imparting' an elliptical sweeping motion about a constantly changing center 2li, in response to the oscillations of lower rack bar 20, (see dotted lines, Fig'. 1). The rake 1, will he mounted on the end of rack bar 21, preferably by a pivot 31 (Fig. 1) and the motion of the cam and its connected parts will be so timed that 1 rack bar 21, and rake 1 is withdrawn from contact with the cotton, during movement of the rake toward the condenser E.

ln the operation of the above described arrangement, there will be imparted to the rake 1, a reciprocatory motion the limits of which are defined. by the length of the toothed surface of connected rack bar 21, plus the sweeping movement imparted by the cam and its connections, which because ofthe constantly changing center 2i, is much wider in cope than the thrust of the cam. ln practico, the rake and its operating' mechanism will. preferably be so mounted that the feeding movement of the rake will ynot be limited by the discharge end of the chute G, adjacent the press box, but willk extend hcvond and beneath the tramper head. By permitting` the rake to enter the space beneath the tramper head, theperiod during' which the cotton bat is under the influence of the positive feed is considerably increased so that cotton will be fed equally to the far side of the press box opposite the discharge end of the lint slide. A great difiiculty with all previous constructions of feeding' devices has been a tendency to pile the cotton in a heavy mass in the near side of the press box adjacent the discharge end of the chute andy consequentlyr an over-accumulation on one side of the cotton 'box not only resul/'ts in an uneven distribution of strain on the tra'mper head, but in the production of a one-suited bale. -By increasing the period during Which the cotton is-under the influe ence of a positive feed, the tendency to uneven distribution Within the press box is proportionately decreased and the bales produced in the press will be even-sided and uniform in appearance.

ln Fig.V la is illustrated a preferred method of mounting rackbar 21 in brackets 92, 28.k llach bracket is provided With grooves 82, 33, groove 32 being in an overhanging Ihorizontal portion 22a of a ybracket Q2, Vand groove 33 in the upreaching vertical pertion 22.*).Y The rack bar 21 is Vprovided With avertically projecting longitudinally extending spline 21?, and horizontally prog, longitudinally extending spline 21". VSplines 21a, 21b slide in grooves 32, 33 respectively, vand prevent vertical and lateral iectintr ldisplacement ofrack bar 21, during its rcmovements in the brackets for instance, is progressing the lcotton toward the press box, a rake 2 kWill be retracted from engagement with the cotton and in its return movement toward the `beginning ofthe discharge chute G. The ar- 'rangementof the rakes provides a practically continuous feed of the cotton during the intervals, when the tramper press is inactive.

The reason for arranging the rakes on shafts disposed at an angle with respect to the press frame, is to permit an angular sweep of the rakes through the discharge chute from the condenser end to the press end, so that the feeding action of a rake'on kthe cotton is in a path diverse from the normal gravitalV flow of the cotton inthe discharge chute. In Fig.` 2, it will be seen that rake 1 is movable from Vthe upper right hand corner of ch'uteG to the loWerleft hand corner iereof, and rake'2 is movable from the upper left hand corner of said chute to its lower right hand corner, lt frequently occurs that the cotton battine as discharged 'Y by the condenser, is more bulky on one side thanon the other, and, accordingly the diverse sweep of the respective rakes ivill draw portions of cotton away from the more bulky -side ofthe batting and distribute it to the less bulky side. ln this manner an even distribution of the cotton .longitudinally ofV the chute, and in the direction of feed or discharge is elfected. lF or the pur- The' automatic tripping device.

The automatic tripping device Whichcontrols the cotton feed, also the operation of the tramper press, is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive. Y.

This tripping device includes a novel construction for automatically setting the tramper press in operation when a suiicient quantity of cotton has accumulated in the press box. In the preferred form, the automatic mechanism for doing this is controlled by direct' pressure of the cotton Within 'the press box on the cotton-engagingV feeding element or rake. This permits a utilization of the most sensitive part in the entire appa.- ratus for the control of the tramper press and presents the important advantage thatv operation of the tramper Ipress is directly responsive to the feed of the cotton, and hence becomes operative with a greater degree of positiveness when a suflicient quantity of cotton has accumulated. The tramper press F illustrated in the accompanying` drawings is of the fluid pressure actuated type and includes a pair,ofinterchangeable press boxes f, f', one f of which is in position beneath the tramper head 341: and the other f is in position for baling the cotton previouslyltramped by repeated lowering movements of tremper head 34;. As previouslyy stated, the two press boxes are generally mounted on a rotatable tablevor support f2 in suchfnianner that bv turning the Vtable half a revolution, a box filled with cotton can be shifted to position for baling and at Vthe same time the emptied box will be shifted Iinto position beneath thev tramper head. inasmuch as the present invention isr not concerned with the treatment of the cotton after a sufficient quantity' has been tramped in a press box, the further steps which result in the production of a bale Will not bedescribed. kThe tramper head 34 is mounted on the lower end of a piston rod 35 Which piston rod extends through a pressure cylinder 36 and is provided at its upper end With a head 37. A fluid pressure supply pipe 38 enters thecylinder 36 near the top thereof, and is adapted to supply fluid pressure for] effecting lowering movement of the piston and tramper head; a second fluid pressuresupply pipe 39 enters the cylinder near the `lower end thereof and sup-V plieslluid pressure to return the piston vhead and its connected piston rod and tramper head to their former elevated position after the cotton has been tramped. The power supplied to pipes 3S and 39 may be either steam, compressed air or hydraulic power and as a matter of fact the type herein shown is equally adapted for use with any forni of Huid pressure. F or convenience it will be assumed that steam is employed as the motive fluid. Both pipes 38, 39 lead to a controlling valve 40. rlhis controlling valve may be of any convenient type, for instance, a rotary valve having a port 41 in communication with supply pipe 38 and port 42 in communication with supply pipe 39. A ported valve body 43 is rotatably mounted within the valve and is so arranged that when fluid pressure is being supplied through port 41, port 42 and supply pipe 39 will be in communication with an exhaust port 44 leading to the atmosphere, When the valve body 43 is shifted so that port 42 is in communication with the interior of the valve body and also with supply pipe 39 to supply fluid pressure to the lower end 0f the lpower cylinder', the pressure from a previous lowering stroke of the piston in the cylinder and above piston head 37 is exhausted through supply pipe 38 port 41 and exhaust port 44 to the atmosphere. The controlling valve is adapted to be actuated to effect lowering movement of the tramper head or plunger by the direct pressure of the cotton itself on the rfeeding element through the following instrumentalities:

Mounted on a transverse sill 4u is an upreaching bracket 45. A trip lever 46 is pivoted at one of its ends to the upper end of said bracket and at its free end is provided with a suitable catch or trip 47. Extending lengthwise of the power cylinder 39 and preferably approximate thereto is a fixed rod 46 rigidly secured to the press frame. Secured. to the tramper head, for instance, by an end plate 49, is a hollow rod or elongated sleeve 507 embracing the fixed rod 4S, and movable thereon in response to up and down movements of the tramper head. Adjacent to the lower end of said hollow rod 50 and adjustably fixed thereto is a collar 51, and in spaced relation above the collar 5l is a second collar 52. Collar 52, however, is capable of movement longitudinally on shaft 50 and is secured to the upper end of a coil spring 53, encircling the rod between the two collars and having its lower end secured to the fixed collar. It will be noted that adjustment of sliding collar 52 and spring 53 on the rod may be effected through fixed collar 51- and this by providing collar 5i with a thumb screw 54 or other vdevice whereby it may be shifted along rod 50 and securely locked in adjusted position. Pivotally mounted on a fixed bracket 55 upreaching from sill 4 adjacent the lint slide is an operating lever 56 in the form of a bell crank, the horizontal arm of which is provided with a forked end 57 embracing hollow rod 5() and the depend ing vertical arm 58 is normally in engagement with a trip 59 mounted on a rock shaft 6() j ournaled in brackets 6i depending from the lower end of sill 4. T he pivotal point of bell crank lever 56 is a transverse shaft 62 mounted in suitable brackets on said sill 4 and adapted to rock in response to oscillations of the bell crank lever. The transverse shaft 62 is the medium through which the controlling valve is operated to effect lowering movement of the tramper head or plunger and also the medium for stopping the feed of the cotton when the plunger starts on its downward tramping stroke, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Adjacent the eXtreme upper end of hollow rod 50 is a cam 63, and interposed between said cam 63 and a spaced slidable collar 64 is a coil spring 65 encircling rod 50. The ends of coil spring 65 are secured to cam 63, and slidable collar 64 respectively. Adjustment of said cam along the rod and also of the collar and spring may be effected by means of an adjustable thumb screw 66.

Mounted on trip lever 46 is a roller 67 adapted to contact with cam 63 when rod 50 has been sufiiciently lowered by the downward stroke of the tramper head. A spring 68V having one end secured to trip lever 46 and the other end secured to bracket 45 acts to normally urge catch 47 into locking Contact with the forked end 57 of bell crank ylever 56. The function of the trip lever 46 and its catch 47 is to lock the operating lever 56 in either of two positions, one in which it throws the parts connected with rock shaft 62 in such manner as to continuously admit power to the upper' end of the power cylinder during lowering movement of the tramper head, and the other in which said operating parts are thrown, so as to continuously admit power to the lower end of the power cylinder and effect an upward movement of the piston and connected tramper head. Secured to rack bar 2l is a spring 69 sensitive to pressure on a rake 1 exerted in a direction opposite from the movement of the rake toward the press box, Operatively connected with rake l is a finger or trip which is adapted to be pushed outwardly from the rack bar 2l against the pressure of spring 69-by the pressure of the cotton on rake 1. Throwing of finger or trip 70 will be etlicient to push trip 59 on rock shaft 60 from beneath vertical arm 58 of bell crank lever 56, and accordingly release said bell crank lever.

rllhe loperation of the automatic trippingr deviceisas follows: Vfl-ien a sufficient quantity of cotton has been' fed to a press box f,

the accumulated pressure will bel trans-y mitted to a rake l in a manner to overcome Vthe tendency ot' spring,- 69 to keep the rake in itsnormal position relatively to the rack bar 2l, and thus, thefpressure of the cotton projects finger 70. When finger 70 comes vinto contact with trip 59, the movement of the-rake lpushes the trip from its engagingposition beneaththe vertical arm 5S of the operating` lever 56,1 This releases the operating lever and permits ity to oscillate yfreely Vwith its shaft 62. By reference to Fife. 5 oft the drawing, it will be notedtliat betere operating lever 56 -is released, spring '53 is compressed'beneatlithe .forked end 5.3'- ooperating lever 56 andk catch 47 of trip leven-46, .is thrust against the forked end of theoperatingAv leier, holding` it in the position-shewn.- llllhen the parts are so disposed, controlling` valve 4l() is partly open in a Lmanner to. `permit.a suppl-y of flu-id pressure through pipe 39 leading. tothe lower end of .the vpower cylinder 3G?, li-n order to lkeep y. piston head 37 and'tramper in elevated position'. As soon as 4the operating lever 56 is released, the pressure of spring is reeto act on the forked-end' of said lever, andthe spring expanding, the operating lever 56 isf `throavn lupwardly Ainto the position shown. in Fig. 6.- T'his expansion of s urine-'53 and -throwine'of o aeratiney le- D b b Aver ,56 oscillates rock shattf-SQ, andthrough .suitable Iconnections actuates.. vthe controlling valve 4:0. -to bring 7port el into communica- -.tion with pipe 38, and suppl-y pipe 39 communication -w-iththe atmosphere .through exhaust port ell. Ast this instant thu-d pressure enters the upper end of: power cylinder 36, :through-supply pipe 38, and the pressure beneath piston head Bwilfl be exhausted through supply pipe 39 to the atmosphere; the luid pressure above piston V ,hea-dBTinimedia-tely starts the tramper-'on its downward stroke to tramp the accumulated Acotton down into the press bor; f. Rocking` .of shaft v62 tofactuate the controlling valve v.a rake, l for .instance,stops its feeding movement at a point adje/ent to Vthe supp-ly end of the press box and remains immovable iii a positionV wherein the prongs lie in -a plane nearly vertical. As ka result, immediate cessation of :the cotton feed to the press boX is not only ei'ectechbut the rake also Iacts as a positive barrier` against turthei1 discharge. of cotton into the press box during lowering movementy 'of the-tramper. Vhis is a distinct advantae in iractice since `it not only renders unnecessary the atent the discharge end of the lint slide is reduced to; a minimum, and a more equal distribution oi cotton is consequently rendered possible. Heretofore, thesupplementai-'y contrivances for 'preventing discharge of cotton during lowering movement of vthe tramper have absolutely prevented ya feeding' member tromV entering thefpress boX in the space below the vtrainper head, and, accordingly, :have greatly limited the effective Ascope ot a posi-tive feed- `When the bell crank lever has been thrown rinto the position indicated in Fig. 6,l it will be held vby trip lever Qthrmving; catch 47 beneath the forked end 57,y vof the Thus the controlling' valve l() is maintained eitective to continuously supply Yiiuid pressure to the upper end of the power cylinder during loweringmovement et kthe tramper `heath-and further leedoir' cotton is also prevented. lt will. be understood, of course, that the period ot timerdiiring which the lowering movement oit the :tremper Ibead occ is comparativelv short, and also that tliefaction of spring'` commences almost simultaneously with-the accumulationoi' the proper quantity of cotton with-in the press box. Y

When the tramper l-ieadvandrod 50 have arrived at a suliiciently lowered position, collar .64: on said rod contacts with vfork-ed .end 5.7 .of bell crank lever 56, and throws said lever downwardly into.v the position lever out ot rthe path fot' :colla-r (il and trip 7 troni, beneath forked end 57, ot the ,bi i. ik lever, permitting` said lever tree y .said collar Gl. illhen moved to the position shown` in Fig.l 7, lever 5T has oscillated 4shalt G2 in such manner that conbell crank lever.r

trolling;` valve l0 shuts olf fluid pressure to cylinder tothe 'atmosphere through the pipe connections above described; the valve ln,

35 through pulley 8.

.lever 74 is so arranged as to disconnect the 60 at 78 to the press frame.

will'besensitive to the direct pressure of.V

lmwever, is actuated to open full way the port 42'in Ycommunication with supply pipe 39, and the tluid pressure supplied to the lower eirl oit' the cylinder immediately starts the tran'iper head on its upward return stroke. The 'feeding movement of the rake, however, will not be restored until the tramper head has arrived at its normal elevated position and collar 52- has again contactedv with the forked end 57 of the bell crank lever YSpring 53 is then again placed under compression, ready to throw the lever to start the tranrper head on its downward trainping stroke, when a sutlil5 cient quantity ot cotton has accumulated in the press box. Port will remain part way open to permit the escape ot sutlicient fluid pressure into the lower end ot the power cylinder to maintain the tramper head in v elevated position.

y the valve body 48 at The said lever 7l will be obedient fto the oscillations of rock sh att 62 and through the medium of link 701 is effective to transmit the Amotion ot operating lever 5G to the controlling valve, and

eltect op ration ot the tramper, as above described. rlso connected to said rock shaft is a clutch actuating lever 74, which is adapted to control a clutch 75 mounted on shaft 5 and controlling` the supply of power It will be obvious the clutcl'i from the shalt 5a when'the tramper starts on its downward stroke, and immediately connect it, as soon as the return of the 40 tramper occurs,

lilith the exception ot the side adjacent to the discharge end ot' chute G, the space above press box 7" will be inclosed bya screen TG. The screen 7G may be conveniently mounted on the press trame in suchi manner as to not present any interference with the swinging movements of the lpress boxes f on rotatable table The purpose ot the screen is to prevent spilling and consequent wasting ot the cotton during toed and tramping thereof. I

il. modified form ot automatic trippingdevice is illustrated inyllig. As shown theif'cin, the operating lever 5G, and trip lever 4o, are mounted in reverse position with respect to the power cylinder. Instead ot' providing a rake-controlled trip 59 Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive), the operating lever 56 may be released by a trip apron 77, pivoted the cotton within the press box, and, when moved thereby so as to release lever 56, the automatic tripping devices become operative The trip apron i.

in precisely the same manner, as previously described.

The improved coat/rolling calce mechanism.

The controlling valve mechanism and its modifications is illustrated in Figs. 9 to l2, inclusive.

' ln Figs. 9 and' l0, the controlling` valve 4() is actuated enti rely by the operating lever 56 to effect lowering and upward movements ot the tra-mper. As shown, valve 40 comprises acasing 40Ll having tour casing ports 41, 42, 44, 44a respectively. Port 41N com municates with a supply pipe 38 extending to the top of the cylinder 36', and tor the purpose oi supplying steam above piston head 3T to effect lowering movement of the tramper head 34'; port 42 communicates with a supply pipe 39 extending to Vthe bottom ot the cylinder 36 and for the purpose of suplilying steam below piston head 3T to eltect upward movement of the tramper head. Both ports 41,42, and connected pipes 3S, 39 also act to exhaust the pressure tromV the power cylinder 36. Port 44 is connected with anV exhaust pipe 404, and port 441 isY connected with a steam supply pipe 404'`.

The valve casing` 40a contines a cylindrical valve chamberr40b, and rotatably mounted within said cylindrical chamber is valve body 43 having by-passes 43, 43h. 'Valve body 43 is provided with eccentric stud 73 to which is pivoted one end ot a link 701; the other end or" link 701 is pivoted to a lever 7l ixed to and obedient to the oscillations ot rock shaft 62 (see 9). As shown in Fig. lO the valve is in the position 'it assumes during Vcotton feed with by-pass 43h partly in communication with ports 4l and 44; by-pass 43? is also partly in communica-- tion with ports 44"1 and 42. lWith the ports and lay-'passes so disposed, the upper end of powercylinder 36 is partly open to the atmosphere through pipe 38, port 4l, by-pass 43", port 44 and exhaust pipe 404. thus exn hausting the fluid pressure from the top ot the cylinder; at the same time, enough steam is `being supplied to the lower end ot the cylinder to keep piston head 37, and tramper head 34 elevated, the said supply being through supply pipe '4042 port 44, by-pass 43, port 42 and pipe 39. lVhen, however, the automatic tripping device becomes active in the manner previously described, operating lever 56 will be thrown upwardly, thus rocking shaft 62. `rThe result of this is that lever Tl and link 701 rotate valve body 4? through an arc suliicient to connect ports and 4lthrough by-pass 43Y and simultaneV ously connect ports 42 and 44 through bv pass 43h, the Asaid portsbeing brought into full registration at this time. Accordingly. it will be seen that supply pipe 3S is in communication with pipe 404e, thus admittiim` steam to the upper end of power cylinder 36V the limit of their downward stroke, the automatic tripping device operates to re.

verse lever 71 and link 701 and consequently valve body 43. Upon said reversal, by-pass 43n will be in full registration with ports 44"L and 42, thus opening up the lower end of the power cylinder 'to supply pipe 404al through pipe 39 and starting pistonhead 37 on its upward stroke; pipe 38 is open to the atmosphere through port 41;, bypassl 43h, port 44 and exhaust .pipe 404. The valve bod-y 43 is returned to its normal position to admit a sufficient supply-of steam to keep the piston head 37 elevated, by the auto.- matic tripping device and the connections on rack shaft 62 when the. tramper .head has yreached the |limit yof its upward stroke. It is desirable to keep the lower en d of thecylinder part-way open to the steam supply, in order to positively prevent any danger of the tramper falling into the press box during cotton feed, as this would almost certainly result in serious damage to the entire apparatus. i f l In the arrangement shown in Figs. `11 and 11a, the controlling valve is actuated by the,

steam pressure within the power cylinder to effect upward movementl of the .tramper head when 1t has reached a predetermined l lowered position in the press box. The valve casing 1 00 is provided with a cylindrical valjvevchamber 101 and casing ports 1,02,l 1.03, 104, 105. Port 102 is incommunication with supply7 pipe 38 for supplyingsteam -to the upper end of the power cylinder 3.6; port 103 in communication with an exhaust pipe 103s; port 104 in communication with a pipe 39 for supplying steam to the lower end of the power cylinder; Vport 105 in communication with a main steam supply pipe 105, The rotary valve body 106 is mounted with* inthe valve chamber 101 and is provided with by-passes 1 07, 108. As SlONYn in Fig. 11 the valve body is in the relation with respect tov the several ports which it assumes when the piston head -37 and trampe-r 34 are in normal elevated position, t". e. during feed of the cotton into the press box. In such position, by-pass 107 is in part-registration with vports 105, 104, thus admitting suflicient steeam from pipe 105a and through cylinder supply pipe39 to the lowerend of the cylinder to keep the piston head 37 elevated.

v `The valve body 106y will be actuated bythe automatic tripping device to Veffect lowering movement of the piston head vand tamper. Forthis purpose, valve body 106 is provided lwith an eccentric stud V109, which passes -througha slot 110y inrone endofa link =111 pivoted at its. other end to lever 71 fixed on rock shaft 62. Shaft 62 is rocked by oper ating lever 56 ofthe automatic trip device,

and when'said .operating lever 56ris thrown 1n a manner previously described, lever.- 71

and link 111V will rotate valve bod-y 106` through an arc suflicient to bring by-pass l103 into lfull registration with casing ports105, 102, and 'by-pass 107 into full registration with casing ports 104, 103. This opens up the upper end lof the power cylinder to -the supply and the lower end thereof to the atmosphere, whereupon lowering movement of the piston head 37 immediately commences. By reason of slot 110 in link 111 the automatic tripping device is effective to rotate. the valve vbody in one direction only, i. e. to effect lowering movement of the tramper head. e

The reversal of the valve isaccomplished 'by the following mechanism z-At some 36a is a coil spring 115 preferably having.

both its ends securely fastened to the sleeve and cylinder head respectively. The "coil spring 115 is normally efficient to` exert its pressure on sleeve 113 in such manner that the said sleeve covers Vthe exhaust opening 112,-and thereby prevents escape or leakage of. steam, except at the desired inter-val. Exhaust pipe 112./communicates with the sup,- plementary closed cylinder 116 through the head end 117 thereof. Mounted within said cylinder 116 is a piston head 118. onthe end of a piston rod 119 extending through an opening in the rear end 120 of the cylinder. At a point adjacent the rearend of cylinder 116, a check valve 116.a is provided, for the purpose ofV exhausting Huid pressure supplied by exhaust pipe 112. The piston 118 is normally urgedtoward the point where the pipe 112 communicates with the cylinder 116 by a Vcoil spring 121 encircling pist0n rod 119 behind the rear face of the piston Vhead 118. Pivoted to the free end of piston rod 119i is a link 121 having a slot 122, through which passes a stud 123 eccentrically mounted on the valve body 10.6. The function of Vthe vlink 121 is to rotate the valve body- 106l in reverse direction from that effectedby link 111, ye., from a yposition in which steam is supplied to the upper end of the cylinder, to a position in which the steam is exhausted from the upper end of the cylinder and the supply is to the lower end of the cylinder to effect upward movement of the piston head 37 and connected tramper.

The operation of this form of controlling valve mechanism is as Jollowsz---It will be assumed that steam is being` supplied to the upper end of power cylinder 36, and piston head 37 is making its downward stroke. Accordingly, piston head 37, at nearly the end of its stroke, will strike sleeve 113 compressing against it spring 115, and, at the end of the piston stroke, sleeve 113 and piston 37 will have moved downwardly suliciently to uncover exhaust pipe 112, which is there. upon placed in communication with that portion of cylinder 36, now above piston head 37. The fluid pressure will immediately pass through said exhaust pipe 112 into supplementary cylinder 116, and piston head 118 will be imparted a single impulse until check valve 116i1 is uncovered by the moving piston head 118, whereupon the fluid pressure within the supplementary cylinder will be exhausted to the atmosphere. The result of the impulse imparted to piston head 118 is that link 121 will be thrown, and through its engagement with stud 123, valve body 106 will be rotated through an arc suilicient to reverse the registration oi the valve body ports with the casing ports. W'hen reversed in this manner, valve body port 107 will be in full registration with casing ports 105, 104, and' valve body port 108 in full registration with valve body ports 102, 103. Aiccordingly, the fluid pressure above piston head 37 is exhausted through pipes 38 and 103, and the supply is through pipesl 105EL and 39, so that the piston head 37 and connected tramper head 34 is immediately started on its upward return stroke. The piston head 118 in supplementary cylinder 116 will be returned by spring 119, link 121 sliding freely over stud 123 by reason of slot 122. TWhen piston head 37 in main cylinder 36 has been suiliciently elevated, spring 115 will return sleeve 113 to its normal position covering exhaust pipe 112, and preventing escape of Huid pressure from the power cylinder. The automatic tripping device will, through lever 71. impart a slight rotation to valve body 106, suiiicient to leave ports 105, 104 in part registration with bypass 107, and continue the supply of steam beneath the piston head 37 and keep it elevated during feed of the cotton.

A yfurther modified form of controlling valve mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 12.

Inasmuch as the valve 200 is precisely the same as the valve shown in connection with the arrangement shown in Figs. 11 and 11, a detail description of its operation will not be given here. The automatic tripping device, also, actuates the said valve in pref cisely theisame manner to effect lowering movement of the tramper head. A differentk v weighted arm 205 which is effective to keepk arms 203, 204 normally in a horizontal plane with respect to the press box f. A connecting rod 206 is pivotally connected at its lower end to exterior arm 204 of dog 202, and is pivotally connected at its upper end to one arm 207 ofa bell crank lever. The other arm 208 of the bell crank leverV is pivoted at its end to a link 209 having slot 209 embracing a. stud y210 eccentrically mounted on valve body 200.

lVhen tramper head 34 during its downward stroke strikes arm 203 of dog 202, connecting rod 206 is given an upward thrust which actuates the bell crank lever and link 209 in a manner to rotate the valve sufficiently to bring the ports into registration for supplying steam to the lower end of the power cylinder.` The dog 202 and connected. parts will be returned to their normal position by weighted arm 205, during which return movement stud 210 slides in slot 209a of link 209, since the position of the valve will not be changed until the tramper head is fully elevated.

The fimprooed arrangement for determining the weight of the cotton mmpefl the press.

all prior arrangements leave computing of the weight of the bales to the guesswork of the operator. In the present improved weight computing device, advantage is taken of the fact that the amount of pressure to effect tramping must be increased proportionately to the amount of cotton within the press box. In other words, as the press box fills up, the number of pounds of pressure on the tramping plunger increases constantly as the tramping action continues until a required quantity oit' cottonlias been tramped for converting intoV a Ibale.Y Referring now tothe following description:

' Connected with the interior of therpower cylinder 36 is a gage pipe 300 which 1s provided Ywith a pressure gage 301. rllhe" pressure gage 1s provided with two dials 302,' 303 and two hands 302, 303, respectively. f bial v302 is provided with characters indicating the number'of pounds steam pressure within the power cylinder, 'dependingf other mounted on a branch pipe 3005L and having a .check valve '305 which opens to the whistle,

Perhaps the following example will serve to betterillustrate the principle of operai tion. Assuming that a given quantity, Vsay 50 pounds, of cotton has been fed into, but not yet tramped in the press box, and that it would take 10,000 pounds steamfpressure on the tramper plunger to tramp they 50 pounds of cotton. When the plunger descends the hand-302n will register 10,000

pounds pressure on'the dial 302 and hand 303a will register 50 pounds cotton on dial 303. Vdow, if the amount of cotton to be tramped is'more than 50 pounds, oran excess quantity a', for instance, it would require van excess of pressure y to tramp the kentire quantity of cotton.' The'total .pressure 10,000 pounds plus y pounds would be indicated on `the dial, and also the V,totaly pounds of cotton y50-i-a2 would be indicated, since increase of pressure rc is proportionate to increasein pounds y of cotton. By arranging hand 303a so Vas to be capable of indicating movement in one directionnonly the total number of pounds of cotton withinv the press will be registered as the tramping action proceeds.

Then the desired lquantity has been obtained within thepress box f, rthe operator may be notified` of the fact by a whistle or alarm Y304'. This whistle r304 is when a predetermined maximum offluid pressure within the gage 301 is reached.

A preferred form of pressure gage'is illustrated in rFigs. 1.3a'and 13b. n connection with gage pipe 300 is a Bourdon tube 306, having a lever mechanism 307 which' actuates a segmental rack 30,3, as the vBourdon y tube expands or contracts. The teeth of the segmental rack are in mesh with a pinion 309 Vfined .to a shaft 310 on which is mounted shaft 316 projecting beyond the gage casing,

as shown. Shaft 316 `may be provided with a key 317 for rotating hand 303aN to Zero position on the dial, when-an empty press box has been swung Vinto position beneath the tramper. During resetting of hand 303L sleeve 311 turns on shaft 310. f

ln Fig. 14 isillustrated a mechanically operated alarm for notifying the operator when a suiiicient quantity of cotton has been tramped vfor baling. The tramper press shown therein is of the weight-return type, having weights'350, 35.1, mounted on the ends of ropes 352, 353, respectively. `VSaid ropes 352, 353 pass over pulleys l354, mounted on the press frame and are attached to tramper head 34 for vreturning it to elevated position. Mounted on the tramper head 34 is a bell 356 of any suitable construction. The inner face of tramper headl 34 is provided with a movable press board35? mounted on rods 353 and 359 passing through the tramper head.V Springs 360, 361 encircling rods 353,359, respectively hold the press board normally in spaced relation with respect to the tramper head. One of the rods, such as 358, may be provided with a trip or catch 362, which isv in normal engagement with a spring actuated bell clapper V363, and acts to prevent said bell clapper from ringing thev bell. lVhen, however, the quantityV of cottonY withinthe press box is sufiiciently great, the increased resistance to the tramping stroke of head 34 will cause the tension of springs 360, 361 to be overcome,vand, accordingly, press board 357 will be compressed against the inner faceof tramper head 34.r This moves rods 353, releasing bell clapper 363 which immediately rings the bell 356, and notifies the operator that a suiicientquantity of cotton has been tramped for b'aling.y Y

illlhat isclaimed is: Y A l 1 ln an apparatus such as described, the combination ofa tramper press, Ya feeding instrumentality for positively delivering ma'- terial to the ,pressV box, tripV mechanism controlling the operation of the tramper press and also thev operation of the feeding instrumeutality,-said trip mechanism adapted when released toeffect the operation of the tramper 'press and simultaneously stop the operation of the feeding instrumentality, and means controlled by the feeding instrumentality for normallypreventing operation of the trip mechanism.

` 2. ln an apparatus such as described, the

combination of a tramper press operative upon filling. of the press box, a feeding instrumentality for positively delivering material to the press box, and means directly responsive to the accumulation of a predetermined pressurey on the feeding instrumentality and acting as a single unit for stopping the feed of the material and simultaneously effecting the operation of the tramper press. Y

3. In an apparatus, such as described, the combination of a tramper press, a movable feeding member, a support on which said member is pivotally mounted and normally held by yielding pressure in fixed position relatively to the support, means for moving the support and feeding member in unison to positively deliver material to the press box, and means responsive to displacement of said feeding member relatively to its support for effecting the operation of the tramper press.

4. In an apparatus such as described, the combination of a tramper press, a movable feeding member, -a support on which said member is pivotally mounted and normally held by yielding pressure in fixed position relatively to the support, means for moving the support and feeding member in unison to positively deliver material to the. press box, and means responsive to displacement of said feeding member relatively to its support for effecting the operation of the tran'iper press and simultaneously stopping the feed of the material.

5. In an apparatus such as described, the

Vcombination of a tramper press, a feeding instrumentality including, amovable feeding member, a support on which said member is pivotally mounted and normally held by yielding pressure in fixed position relatively to the support, and means for moving the support and feeding member in unison to positively deliver material to the press box; and .means responsive to displacement of said feeding member relatively to its support for effecting the operation of the tramper press and simultaneously stopping the operation of the feeding instrumentality.

6. In an apparatus for handling cotton and the like, the combination of a press box, a plunger, and means for supplying power to the plunger to effect lowering and upward movement thereof,a feeding element which delivers cotton to the press box, an operating element controlling the supply of power to `the plunger, and operable upon release by the feeding elementY when a predetermined amount of cotton has accumulated within the press box, a spring-pressed member carried by the plunger for throwing said opering element to a position to supply power to the plunger, and effect lowering movement therof, upon a release of the operating elemeut, `and a spring-pressed member carried by the plunger for throwing said operating element to a position to reverse the supply of power to the plunger and effect upward movement thereof when the plunger has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

7. In ,an apparatus for handling cotton and the like, the combination of a press box, a plunger and means for supplying power to the plunger to effect lowering and upward movement thereof, an operating element controlling the supply of power to the plunger and also directly controlling the feed of the cotton and adapted to be released upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of cotton within the press box, means for throwing said operating element to a position to supply power to the plunger and effect lowering movement thereof upon its release, and also stop the feed of cotton, and means for throwing said operating element to a position to rev rse `the supply of power to the plunger and effect upward movement thereof when the plunger has reached a predetermined lowered position.

S. In an apparatus for handling cotton and the lil e,fthe combination of a press box, a plunger and means for supplyingk power to the plunger to effect lowering` and upward movement thereof, an operating element controlling the supply of power to the plunger and also directly controlling the feed of the cotton to the press box, said operating element being adapted to be released upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of cotton within the press box', means for causing said operating element to supply power to the plunger in a manner to effect lowering movement thereof upon its release and simultaneously stop the feed of the cotton, means for throwing said operating element to a position to reverse the supply of power to the plunger and'efi'ect upward movement thereof when the plunger has reached a predetermined lowered position, and means for actuating said operating element to permit i, resumption of the cotton feed when the plunger has reached its former elevated position. Y y 9. In an apparatus forhandling cotton and the like, the combination of a press box, a plunger, and means for supplying power to the plunger yto effect lowering and upward movement thereof, an operating element controlling the supply of power to the plunger and also directly controlling the feed of the cotton to the press box, said operating element being adapted to be released upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of cotton within the press box, means for causing said operating element to supply power to the plunger in a manner to effect lowering movement thereof upon its release and simultaneously stop the feed of the cotton, and adjustable means for throwing said opery has reachedl a predetermined lowered position, and also for actuating Ysaid operating element to permit a resumptiony of the cotton feed'when'the plunger has reached its former y elevated position. Y

10. Iny .an yapparatus for handling cotton and the like, the combination of a press boX,

a plunger, and means for supplyingpower to the plunger to effect lowering and upward movement thereof, a rod carried by said plunger and movable therewith, an operating element controlling the supply of power to the plunger andalso vthe vfeed of the cotton, said operating element being adapted to be released upon the Vaccumulation of a predetermined amount of cotton within thepress box, a spring carried by said rod for throwing kthe operating element to a position to ysupply power to the plunger andfeffe'ct lowering movement thereof upon its release, said'operating element when vthrown acting to simultaneously stop the feed of cotton,`a second spring mounted on said rod and engageable with the operating element when theplun'er has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box, said'second spring acting to throw the operating element to a position to reverse the supply of power tothe plunger and effect upward movement thereof, and means for restoring the feed of the cotton when vthe plunger has reached its former elevated position.

11. In an apparatus for handling cotton and the like, the combination of a press box, a plunger and means for supplying power to the plunger to eifectlowering and upward movement thereof, a rod carried by said plunger and movable therewith, an operating element controlling the supply of` power to the plunger and alsov the feed of the cotton, said operating element being adapted to 'be released upon the accumulation of ya predetermined amount of cotton within the press boX, an adjustable spring carried byr said rod for throwing the oper-V ating element to a position to supply power 'tothe plunger and effect lowering movement thereof upon its release, said operating element ywhen rthrown acting to ysimultaneously stop the feed of cotton, a second .adjustable spring mountedgon said rod and engageable lwith the operating `element when the plimger has reached a predetermined lowered position, said second spring acting to ythrow the operating element Vto 'a position to re-` verse the supply of power to the plunger and effect upward movement thereof, and means for restoring the feed of the'ootton l whenl the plunger has reached its former eleva-ted position. Y

In a cotton feeding device, the combination of 4af support on which the cotton is progressed, and feeding means engageable with the cotton in a manner to directthe cotton in a path diverse from its normal direction of progression on said support.

13. In a cotton feeding device, the combi-Y nation of a support on which the cotton `is progressed, and feeding means therefor ini' cluding a plurality of feeding membersfeach engageable with the cotton in a manner vto direct itin a path diverse from'its normal direction of progression on said support.

14. Ina cotton feeding device, thecombination of a support on which the cotton Vis progressed, and feeding means therefor including a Y plurality of feeding members movable in directions diverse with respect to the normal direction of progression of the cotton on said support, the directions of movement of the several feeding members being also diversefwith respect to each other.

15. In a cotton feeding device, t'lie combination of a support on which the cotton is progressed and also arranged to impart a gravital flow to the cotton, and feeding means therefor including a plurality of in-r dependently mounted feeding members alternately engageable with the cotton and feeding members alternately engageable with the cotton and movable in Vdirectionsdiverse tothe direction of progression of the cotton on said support.

17. In a cotton feeding device, the combination of a support on which the cotton is progressed, and feeding means therefor including a pair of independently mounted feeding members alternately engageable with themcotton and movable in directions ydiverse with respect to the direction'of progression of the cotton, the directions of movement ofthe two feeding members being also ,diverse withrespect to each other.

18. In a cotton feeding device, the combi-Y nationk of support on which the cotton is progressed, and positive 'feedingmeans ltherefor movable angularly across the Vsupport.

'19. In a cotton feeding'device, the combination of a support on which the cotton is progressed, and positive feeding means therefor including a. plurality of feeding"` members movable ang'ularlyvacross the supiio port, and alternately vkengagea'ble with .the

cotton. Y e

20. 'In. cotton tramping apparatus, the combination of a .press box, a power cylinder, a' plunger adapted to'be actuated by fluid pressure supplied to the power cylinder, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure supply, mechanical connections for actuating said valve to supply fluid pressure to the power cylinder in a manner to effect lowering movement of the plunger, and means controlled by the fluid pressure within the power' cylinder for actuating said valve to reverse the fluid pressure supply and effect upward movement of the plunger when it has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

21. In cotton tramping apparatus, the combination of a press'box, a power' cylinder, a plunger adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure supplied to the power cylinder, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure supply, mechanical connections for actuating said valve to supplyfluid pressure to the power cylinder in a manner to effect lowering movement of the plunger, and fluid pressure actuated connections for actuating said valve to reverse the fluid pressure supply and effect upward movement of the plunger when it has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

22. In cotton tramping apparatus, the combination of a press box, a power cylinder, a plunger adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure supplied to the power cylinder, means for feeding cotton to the press box, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure supply, mechanical connections responsive to the accumulation of a predetermined amount of cotton within the press box for actuating said valve to supply fluid pressure to the power cylinder in a manner to effect lowering movement of the plunger and tramp the cotton down into the press box, and means controlled by the fluid pressure within the power cylinder for actuating said valve to reverse the fluid pressure supply and effect upward movement of the plunger when it has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

23. In cotton tramping apparatus, the combination of a press box, a power cylinder, a plunger adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure supplied to the power cylinder, a feeding element for delivering cotton to the press box, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure supply, means controlled by the feed of cotton for actuating said valve to supply fluid pressure to the power cylinder in a manner to effect lowering movement of the plunger and tramp the cotton down into the press box, and means controlled by the fluid pressure within the power cylinder for actuating said valve to reverse the fluid pressure supply and effect upward movement of the plunger when it has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

24. In cotton tramping apparatus, the

combination of a press box, a power cylinder, a plunger adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure supplied to the power cylinder, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure supply, means for actuating said valve to supply fluid pressure to the power cylinder in a manner to effect lowering movement of the plunger, and means for reversing said valve to reverse the fluid pressure supply and effect upward movement of the plunger, including an .independent valve actuating element responsive to fluid pressure within the power cylinder when the plunger has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

25. In cotton tramping apparatus, the combination of a press box, a power cylinder, a plunger adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure supplied to the power cylinder, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure supply, means for actuating said valve to supply fluid pressure to the power cylinder in a manner to effect lowering movement of the plunger, and means for reversing said valve to reverse the fluid pressure supply and effect upward movement of the plunger, including a valve actuating element connected with the controlling valve adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure, and valve controlled mechanism for supplying fluid pressure from the power cylinder to said element when the plunger has reached a predetermined lowered position in the press box.

26. An apparatus for tramping cotton and the like comprising a power cylinder, a press box, a piston movable in the power cylinder and having a tramper head, a. valve controlling the delivery of operating fluid to said power cylinder, valve operating mechanism, feeding mechanism, a shaft positively connecting said mechanisms, a lever rigid on said shaft and fulcrumed thereby, a spring pressing one end of said lever,

'and adapted when released to move the shaft to valve opening and feed disconnecting position, a trip engageable with the other end of said lever to hold said spring compressed, and means for intermittently moving said trip out of engagement with the valve operating element thereby releasing the spring.

27. An apparatus for tramping cotton and the like, comprising a power cylinder, a press box, a piston movable in the power cylinder and having a tramper head, a valve controlling the delivery of operating fluid to said power cylinder, valve operating mechanism, feeding mechanism, a shaft positively connecting said mechanisms, a lever rigid on said shaft and fulcrumed thereby, a spring pressing one end of said lever, and adapted when released to move the shaft to valve opening and feed disconnecting position, a trip engageable with the compressed, and means operated by pres- V sureY of material fed to the press box for moving said trip out of engagement with the Vvalve operating element and thereby releasing said spring.

2S. An apparatus for tramping cotton and the like, comprising a power cylinder, a press box, a piston movable in the power cylinder and having a tramper head, a valve controlling the ydelivery of operating fluid to said power cylinder, valve operating mechanism, feeding mechanism, a shaft positively connecting said mechanismsa lever rigid on said shaft and fulcrumed thereby, a spring pressing one end of said lever, and adapted when released to move the shaft to valve opening and feed disconnecting position, a trip engageable with the other end of said lever to hold said spring compressed, a lfeeding element, and means operated by the pressure of material fed to the press box for establishing a direct connection between the feeding element and the trip,`whereby movement of the feeding element will move the trip out of engagement withcthe valve operating element and thereby release said spring.

29. An apparatus for tramping cotton and the like, comprising a power cylinder, a press boX,a piston movable up and down in the power cylinder and having a tramper head, a Valve for delivering operating fluid to the upper and lower ends of the power cylinder, valve operating mechanism, feeding mechanism, a shaft positively connecting said mechanisms, a lever rigid on said shaft and fulcrumed thereby, a spring pressing one end of said lever, and adapted Y when released to move the .shaft to valve opening and feed disconnecting position, a

trip engageable with the other end of said lever to hold said spring compressed, means for intermittently moving said trip out of engagement with the valve operating ele- `ment, thereby- -releasing said spring, and

means movable with the tramper head for moving the operating element into position to actuate the valve to deliveroperating fluid. to the lower end of the power cylinder.

30. An vapparatus for tramping cotton and the like, Comprising a power cylinder, a press box, a piston movable up and down in the power cylinder and having a tramper head, a valve for delivering operating fluid to the upper and lower ends of the power cylinder, valve operating mechanism, feeding mechanism, a shaft positively connecting said mechanisms, a lever rigid on said shaft and fulcrumed thereby, a spring pressing one end of said lever, and adapted when. released to move the shaft to valve opening and feed disconnecting position, a trip engageable with the other end of said lever to hold said spring compressed, means for intermittently moving said trip out of engagement with the valve operating element, thereby releasing said spring, a spring actuated member for retaining the operating element in position to effect the delivery of fluid to the upper end of the power cylinder, and means movable with the tramper head for moving i the operating element into position toactuate the valve to deliver operating fluid to the lower end of the power cylinder and for restoring said spring actuated member to its normal position.

Y HARRY W. LIGON. Titnesses f R. A. THoMPsoN, R. F. BowLER. 

